Dispensing apparatus



Aug. 9, 1938. H. c. SULLIVAN ET Al.

DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed May s, 4 sheets-sheet 1 VIIII Aug. 9, 1938. H,y c'. SULLIVAN ET A1. 2,126,354

DIsENsmGv APPARATUS Filed Myz, 1957 4v sheets-sheet 2 .WWA c ug. 9, 1938. H. c. SULLIVAN ET A1.

DI SPENS ING APPARATUS Filed May 3, '1957 4 Sheets-Sheet i5 ,FIIIIIII me/whom?.

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llllllllll -Aug, 9, 1938. Hnc. SULLIVAN ET AL DI SPENS ING APPARATUS Filed May z, 1957 4 sheetsshet 4 Patented Aug. 9, 1938 UNITED STATES DISPENSING APPARATUS Howard Cl. Sullivan, Cottage City, Md., and Arthur A. Wotier, Washington, D. C.

Application May 3, 1937, Serial No. 140,512

18 Claims.

This invention relates generally to dispensing apparatus and is directed particularly to the dispensing or serving of ice cream or other plastic, semi-plastic or semi-solid substances.

The primary object of the invention is to provide apparatus of such character that ice cream, ices or frozen desserts or other hereinabove mentioned substances may be served in predetermined uniform quantities, in an expeditious and sanitary manner.

A further object is to provide means for use particularly at soda fountains, restaurants or other places where quantities of commodities such as ice cream or other frozen desserts are served, where speed of service is required and where accuracy and uniformity of shape of the quantity dispensed is essential, and wherein such service may be attained without exposing the bulk or supply to the atmosphere and without danger of contamination of the material or the quantity dispensed. A further object of the invention is to provide a self measuring and dispensing' apparatus which is positive in operation, which may be easily manipulated without the exercise of special skill or knowledge, which is composed of comparatively few simple and readily assembled parts, which has its parts so constructed and assembled as to permit of ready sterilization and to minimize the opportunity for wear, breakage or derangement, which maintains the bulk commodity at all times in proper manner for consumption, and which will prove highly practical and efficient in use.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken through a dispensing apparatus embodying the invention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary View illustrating a conventional hydraulic pressure operating means employed in the present instance to exert the necessary pressure against the cutting element,

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation of the cover or door for the dispensing apparatus, the operating lever being removed,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken upon line li-d of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken upon line 5--5 of Figure 3,

Figure 6 is a detailed elevation looking into the core or frame,

Figure 'l is a side elevation of the core or frame,

Figure 8 is an enlarged detailed fragmentary View of the gears for operating the cutter head,

Figure 9 is a detailed sectional view illustrating the gear assembly,

Figure 10 is a detailed view of the head gear by itself,

Figure 11 is a rear elevation of the head gear, 10

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view of the face of the cover and illustrating the cam members carried by the operating lever,

Figure i3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View taken through the gear operating sleeve,

Figure 14 is an elevation showing the cutting face ofthe cutter head,

Figure 15 is a similar view of the opposite face of the head,

Figure 16 is a transverse sectional view taken upon line l--l of Figure 14, and

Figure 17 is a developed elevation or diagram of the cams and illustrating the manner in which the extractor is operated thereby.

While the invention relates particularly to apu paratus for dispensing ice cream or other frozen commodities or substances, it will be understood that the inventive idea and the constructions herein disclosed may equally 1'as well be employed in dispensing other commodities or substances of a more or less plastic, semi-plastic or semi-solid consistency.

The invention includes a container for the bulk cream, with which is associated a head to operate upon the bulk cream in such manner as to withdraw from the bulk a proper serving quantity and properly shape such quantity prior to automatic delivery to a dish, cup, cone or other receptacle. In carrying this idea into effect, the bulk cream is forced into contact with a rotatable head, and as the head rotates proper quantities of the bulk are shaved or cut and forced into molds of the desired size and shape for delivery to the receptacle. The head is preferably contained in a closure for the bulk container, and when the cover is closed the bulk is sealed against the admission of air or dirt, whereby sanitary maintenance and service is assured. The head as here shown is rotated by simple and easy operations, and the proportioning, molding or shaping' and delivery operations are entirely automatic. The invention also includes means whereby the proper degree of pressure of the bulk against the cutting head is constantly maintained, such maintenance being attained by means governed by operation of the dispensing apparatus. The invention also comprehends means whereby the dispensing apparatus may be quickly and easily charged or replenished when the supply becomes exhausted, without the exercise of special skill or knowledge.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein a preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is disclosed, the receptacle or container for the ice cream or other substances to be dispensed is represented at IG. This container is constructed of suitable metal of cylindrical form and of a size to-snugly receive the bulk cream supplied by the manufacturer in the container or carton II. It will be understood, of course, that there will be one container for each of the several flavors of cream to be dispensed, and these containers may be arranged with their axes horizontal and properly secured by the out turned flanges I2 in a wall I3 of a refrigerating unit. Such unit is not here disclosed nor described, but it will be understood that the temperature within the unit will be maintained at the proper low degree by use of apparatus well known in the industry.

The outer or front end of the cylinder I0 is closed by a cover or door I4v having a hinge I5 by means of which it may be attached to the wall I3 for horizontal swinging movement. This door is equipped with a gasket I6 so as to seal and insulate the cylinder and its contents when the door is closed and secured by latch I6.

This cover I4 houses a rotatable head I'I, the inner face of which is disposed and rotates in the plane of the open end of cylinder I9 when the door is closed. This head carries a plurality of cutting edges` or blades I8 on its forward face, which are so disposed and shaped that when the head is rotated, they will engage and shave or cut the bulk material engaged therewith. In the present instance ve of these blades are disclosed, and each blade communicates with a channel I9 within the head leading to its corresponding mold 23 in the periphery of the head. It is obvious, therefore, that as the head rotates the cut bulk material passes from the cutting blades into the channels and is forced into the molds 20, taking the shape or configuration of such molds. The head I1 fits snugly within the cover I4 so that the latter acts as a closure for the open sides of the mold cups or recesses 20. The lower portion of the cover or door I4, however, is provided with a delivery opening 2| corresponding generally to the diameter of the molds so that as each mold f' moves into registry with the said ope-ning, the

contents will be discharged into a cup, dish, cone or other receptacle held thereunder.

The means for rotating the head includes a master or head bevel gear 22 rotatably supported axially of the cover within a core or frame 23 secured within the cover I4. This gear has a rearwardly projecting end or stud 24 of angular formation to be received within a recess 25 of similar size and conguration on the inner face of the head II. If desired, screws may be passed through suitable openings 26 in the cutter face and engaged in openings 2`I in the gear stud 24 to insure rigid connection between the head and the stud. When it is desired to remove the head, however, removal of the screws will enable the head to be easily lifted free of the gear stud.

The frame or core 23 has a shaft 28 disposed laterally thereof and engaged in suitable supports, upon which there are rotatably myounted oppositely disposed bevel gears 29-3IL both of which are atall times in mesh with head gear 22. Interposed between the gears 29-33 and rotatably mounted upon the shaft 28 is a sleeve 3l secured to the inner end of a hand lever 32. This sleeve is equipped with pawls 33, the said pawls engaging the teeth of ratchet portions 34 integral with the oppositely disposed bevel gears 29-30. The teeth of ratchet portions of one gear are disposed opposite to those of the other, so that when the handle or lever 32 is moved in one direction, a positive driving connection will be established between the sleeve and a bevel gear, while the pawl in the opposite side of the sleeve idles over the ratchet of its corresponding gear. When the handle or lever 32 is moved in the opposite direction, the reverse occurs, so that regardless or" the direction of movement of the lever, the master or head gear will rotate in but one direction.

The lever 32 projects through a slot 35 in the outer face of cover or door I4, and is equipped with means to resist retraction once movement of the lever has been started in one direction. This means includes disc members 36 pivoted eccentrically as at 3l to each side of the handle or lever, the periphery of which travels upon and coacts with an arcuate face 38 on the cover adjacent to the slot 35. A spring 39 secured as at 4G at one end of the lever 32 has its free end engaged in recess 4I in the periphery of the disc, tending to hold the latter in such position as to create a camming action between the disc 36 and the arcuate face 38. The disc 36 is equipped with pins 42 arranged one on each side of the center of the disc as defined by pivot 37, which pins engage with xed stops 43 on the cover at the end of the stroke of the lever. From this construction, and with reference to Figure 9, it is obvious that when lever 32 starts to ino-ve upwardly, any tendency to move the same downwardly will be immediately resisted and checked by camming action between disc 36 and arcuate face 3S. However, upon reaching the upper limit of the lever stroke, the stop 43 will engage the adjacent pin 42 on the disc causing the latter to rotate off-center, whereupon spring 32 maintains the disc with a camming side so disposed to surface 38 as to permit downward movement of the lever but to check or resist upward movement until the lower limit of travel of the lever has been reached. The reverse operation occurs when the opposite pin engages the lever stop and trips the cam or disc.

Each of the molds 20 is equipped with means whereby the contents thereof may be discharged from the head at the proper time through delivery opening 2|, and as all of such devices are identical, only one will be described. This means includes a cutter or scraper blade 44 of substantially U-shape and conforming to an-d tting snugly within the contour of the mold 20. This blade is relatively thin and is adapted when rotated to scrape the formed material free from the walls of the mold. The blade is provided midway between its ends with a stem 45 rotatably secured in a proper bearing at the base of the mold, an-d this stem projects through the wall and radially of the head. The inner end of this stem carries a right angularly disposed arm 45, the outer end of which is provided with a stud or pin 47. A spring 48 is secured at one end, as at 49, to the head II and at its opposite end to the arm 46; the said spring normally maintaining the cutter or scraper blade in such position as not to impede the entrance of material from the channel to the mold.

The core or frame 23 has disposed thereon cam `members arranged in the path of movement of the pin or stud 41, and so located as to rotate stem 45 and the blade 44 carried thereby just prior to the time the mold moves into registry with the discharge opening 2| in the cover I4. These cams are indicated at 56 and 5|, and as is shown particularly in Figure 17, movement of the arm 46 in the direction of the arrow will cause pin 41 to ride upon cam face 52 giving a 90 degree rotation to the stem 45 until the pin reaches cam face 53 of cam 5|, whereupon further travel of the head will cause the stem to rotate another 90 degrees. This 180 `degree rotation causes the blade 44 to cut the body of cream entirely free from the mold walls, and, at the same time, tensions spring 48. The cam 5| is so located that the mold is in precise registry with discharge opening 2| when the pin 41 reaches the far end of cam face 53. Immediately upon clearance of the pin 41 from the cam face, the arm is released to the tension of spring 48, whereupon the arm and the blade 44 is reversed quickly to initial position, which movement induces the formed body of cream to drop from the mold.

In order that the dispenser may properly function, it is essential that the bulk o-r body of frozen material be kept at all times in proper contact with the face of the cutter. To this end it is preferred that the container be provided with a bottom capable of being slid inwardly of the container to force this material forwardly against the cutter face. This container may be made of comparatively thin metal or of card board, or similar suitable material which may or may not be coated inside with paraffin or other substances, with the bottom 54 crimped in position as shown. The said bottom is engaged by a piston 55 substantially the same diameter as the bottom, and connected to the piston is a plunger 56 mounted for reciprocation within a cylinder 51 in the rear of the container. It is ,y obvious that various means may be employed for moving the piston forwardly to force the bulk material against the cutter face, but hydraulic pressure means, such as hereinafter described, is deemed most simple and practical.

A tank 58 containing a suitable fluid is arranged in any convenient location behind wall i3, and fluid is pumped from this tank and is utilized as the pressure means for moving the piston. A pipe 59 having a check valve 66 leads to a pump cylinder 6|, which cylinder contains a piston 62. The inner end of cylinder 6| connects with a pipe 63, having a check valve 64 therein, and a pipe 63 communicates with the interior of the cylinder 51. The check valve 68 operates so as to close when piston 62 moves inwardly of the cylinder, while check valve 64 is open during such movement to enable fluid to be forced through pipe 63 into cylinder 51. Upon retraction of piston 62, however, check valve 64 closes,

while check valve 6|) opens, permitting the new charge of liquid to be drawn into the cylinder 6|, as will be rea-dily understood. The pipe line 63 is equipped with a valve 65 controlled by arm 66 and link 61. One side of valve 65 communicates with tank 58 through by-pass 68, while the said by-pass is equipped with a relief line 69. Cylinder 51 is similarly equipped with a relief port 1|] which leads back into tank 58.

Piston 62 of the pump has its operating stem provided with a head 1| disposed Within an opening 12 in flange |2 immediately adjacent to the ldoor |4. A spring 13 normally maintains the pistonv 62 in outer or extended position with the head 1| disposed in opening 12 and substantially flush with the outer face of wall I3.

The outer face of the cover or door |4 is provided with a hollow boss 14 through which a flexible cable 15 passes. The lower end of this boss terminates coincident with head 1| of the pump, and the cable 15 is connected with a plunger 16 adapted to engage the hea-d 1| of the piston 62. The upper end of this cable is attached to lever 32, and it is obvious that when the lever 32 moves in downward direction, cable i5 will travel through boss 14 and plunger 16 will move outwardly from the cover or door into contact with the head 1| of piston 62, causing an impulse in the pump to force uid through pipe line 63 into cylinder 51. By this means sufficient pressure is maintained behind plunger 56, automatically with dispensing operations, to exert the desired or necessary frictional contact between the body of bulk contents or material and the cutting face of the head to insure proper operation of the cutting and dispensing mechanism.

' In operation, let it be assumed that the parts are in the position as shown by Figure 1, The ratio of the gearing is such that a full stroke of lever 32 in a downward direction will move a mold into registry with discharge opening 2|, While a full stroke in the opposite direction will move a void or blank portion of head |1 over opening 2|. As the head rotates, ice cream or material is shaved or scraped from the face of the bulk by blades i8 and is forced through channels i9 into molds 26. The disposition of the cutting blades is such that substantially a complete rotation of the head is necessary to completely ll a mold, and as the molds arrive successively in registry with discharge opening 2| the contents thereof is automatically released by means of the blade 44 controlled by arm 46 and cams 5GB-5|. The disc elements 36 on each side of the lever 32 prevent reverse movement of the lever after the latter has started in one direction, thus obviating the opportunity for the molds becoming improperly alined with the discharge opening. Each downward movement of the lever causes an impulse in the pump whereby additional fluid is supplied to cylinder 51, thus assuring proper engagement of the bulk ice cream or material with the cutter face. As the bulk is fed forwardly, the bottom 54 of the container travels with the piston, and as the cutting head is of equal diameter with the interior of the container, the entire contents of the container may be dispensed without loss.

When the plunger 56 has moved outwardly until its rear end clears the port of relief pipe 18, the pressure within the cylinder 51 will be relieved, whereupon the empty container may be readily removed from chamber Il). Should necessity require access to be had to the interior of the dispenser before the bulk has been entirely consumed, it is but necessary to operate link 61 of valve 65 to establish communication between ,cylinder 51 and relief pipe 68, whereupon the pres- From the foregoing it is apparent that we have provided means of comparatively simple construction whereby ice cream or other plastic, semi-plastic, or semi-solid substances may be quickly and conveniently dispensed in a thoroughly sanitary manner. The parts necessary in the assemblage are so constructed and arranged as to enable the mechanism to be readily taken apart when required for cleaning or repair purposes. The assembly is such, moreover, as to permit of such repairs or adjustments without the necessity of special tools or skill.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new and useful is:

1. In a dispenser, a container, a head at one end of said container, a cutter on said head to shave the material in said container, a mold, means whereby movement of the cutter will charge said mold With shaved material, means for moving said cutter, and means operated by said cutter moving means for forcing the material in said container against said head.

2. In a dispenser, a container, a cover for one end of said container, a head rotatable in said cover and having a face to engage material in said container, a cutter on said face, channels in said head leading from said face to the periphery of said head, said cover having an opening therein with which said channels register at predetermined timcs, and means for rotating said head.

3. In a dispenser, a container, a cover for one end of said container, a head rotatable in said cover and having its periphery snugly engaging said cover, a cutter on one face of said head to engage material in said container, channels in said head leading from said face to said periphery, said cover having an opening therein with which said channels successively register, means for rotating said head, and means for maintaining the material in said container in contact with said cutter.

4. In a dispenser, a container, a head at one end of said container, means whereby movement of said head will cause material to be discharged from said container, means for moving said head, a plunger to force the contents of said container into operative relationship with said head, a hydraulic pump for moving said plunger, and means connected with said head operating means for operating said pump.

5. In a dispenser, a container, a head rotatably mounted at one end of said container, means for forcing the contents of said container into contact with said head, a mold in said head, a cutter on said head to engage said contents, a channel leading from said cutter to said mold, and means for expelling the contents of said mold when the head has reached a predetermined position.

6. In a dispenser, a rotary head, means for forcing a semi-plastic mass against said head, a mold in said head, a cutter on said head adapted to shave said mass as the head rotates, a channel leading from said cutter to said mold, and means for releasing the contents of the mold When the head has reached a predetermined position.

7. In a dispenser, a container, a rotary head at one end of said container, blades on said head to engage and shave the contents of said container as the head rotates, molds in said head, channels leading from said blades to said molds, means for discharging the contents of said molds as they arrive at predetermined positions, means for rotating said head, and means operated by said rotating means for forcing material in said container against the cutting face of said head.

8. In a dispenser, a container, a rotary head closing one end of said container, a plurality of molds in said head, cutters on said head corresponding to the number of said molds, said cutters adapted to engage the material in said container, a channel leading from each cutter to its respective mold, and a scraper adapted to release the contents of each mold when the head has reached a predetermined position.

9. In a dispenser, a container, a head closing one end of said container and movable in the plane thereof, a mold, means whereby movement of said head will fill said mold from said container, a piston to force the contents of said container against said head, a pump to supply fluid under pressure against said piston, and means governedI by movement of said head for operating said pump.

10. In a dispenser, a container, a rotary head closing one end of said container, means whereby movement of said head will discharge material from said container, a piston to force the contents of said container into operative relationship with said head, a pump to supply fluid under pressure to said piston, a plunger for operating said pump, means for moving said head, and means operated by said head moving means for operating said plunger.

1l. In a dispenser, a core, a head rotatably mounted on said core, molds in the periphery of said head, a scraper in each mold, an arm for operating each scraper, means on the core to engage the arms to operate said Scrapers, means for rotating said head, and means whereby plastic material is fed to said molds.

12. In a dispenser, a core, a head rotatable on said core, means Within the core for rotating said head, a plurality of molds in the periphery of said head, a scraper in each mold, an arm on each scraper projecting toward said core, a cam on said core ln the path of movement of said arm, a spring for moving said scraper in one direction, and means for supplying material to said molds.

13. In a dispenser, a container, a closure for one end of said container, a core in said closure, a head rotatable on said core, cutters on the inner face of said head to engage material in the container, molds in the periphery of said head, channels establishing communication between said cutters and said molds. said closure having an opening therein to successively expose said molds, means for discharging material from said molds when registered with said openings, a gear in said core attached to said head, a second gear in mesh with the first mentioned gear, a lever pivoted in said core and operatively associated with said second gear, and means operated by said lever for forcing material in said container against said cutters.

14. In a dispenser, a container, a door for one end of said container, a hollow core secured to said door, a head rotatably mounted on said core, a bevel gear in said core operatively connected with said head, a shaft in said core, bevel gears on said shaft engaged with the first mentioned gear, a lever pivoted on said shaft, ratchets on said lever to alternately operate said bevel gears, means for limiting the movement of said lever to one direction until it has reached its extent of movement in said direction, molds in the periphery of said head, means whereby rotary movement of said head will cause said molds to be filled with material from said container, a scraper in each mold, a shaft on each scraper, an arm on each shaft arranged adjacent to said core, a cam on said core in the path of travel of said arms, means yie1d.

ably holding said arms in said path, and means governed by movement of said lever for forcing material in said container into operative contact with said head. y

15. In a dispensing apparatus, a cover, a core disposed centrally Within'said cover, a head rotatably mounted upon said core, a head gear in said core, a stud projecting from said gear and through said core and detachably secured to said head, a shaft in said core, gears on said shaft in mesh with said head gear, a lever to rotate said gears, and means whereby said gears will be caused to rotate alternately upon movement of said lever in opposite directions.

16. In a dispensing apparatus, a head, a core' arranged centrally Within said head, a head gear supported by said core and connected with said head, a lever, means whereby movements of said lever in opposite directions Will impart step by step rotary movement of said head gear in one direction, and means limiting said lever against movement in a reverse direction until full travel of the lever in a given direction has been made.

17. In a dispensing apparatus, a closure having a discharge opening therein, a head movable Within said closure, molds in saidhead adapted to register With said opening, means for charging said molds, and means for moving said head in a step by step manner whereby each alternate movement of the head Will blank said opening.

18. In a dispenser, a container, a head at one end of said container, means whereby movement of said head will cause material to be discharged from said container, means for moving said head, a plunger to force the contents of said container into operative relationship with said head, pressure means for moving said plunger and means connected with said head operating means governing said pressure means.

HOWARD C. SULLIVAN. ARTHUR A. WOTIER. 

